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About the Project

AR.IO is a global network, protocol, and currency that powers the permaweb—a decentralized, permanent storage solution for files, apps, webpages, and data on the Arweave network. The AR.IO Network is an open, ownerless, distributed network that brings together operators, developers, and end users from around the world. The network's nodes, known as AR.IO Gateways, serve as decentralized interfaces between users and the permaweb, acting as "Permaweb Service Providers." These gateways support essential web services, such as reading, writing, querying, and indexing Arweave data, ensuring a seamless experience for both developers and users.


Each AR.IO Gateway follows network protocols to maintain uniformity and participates in an observation and reporting system to monitor and enhance network performance. This decentralized approach not only keeps the network healthy but also holds gateway operators accountable. The AR.IO Network leverages a utility token, IO (ɸ), which serves multiple purposes: it acts as a currency for services like the Arweave Name System (ArNS), a stake for joining the network as a gateway, and an incentive for fulfilling gateway duties. This tokenomic model aims to make the permaweb more accessible and functional for all participants.


Arweave, as a Layer 1 blockchain network, offers scalable and permanent on-chain data storage, utilizing a tokenomic endowment model to incentivize miners and ensure long-term data preservation. However, the Arweave protocol doesn't cover all permaweb application needs, such as data indexing and retrieval. This gap has led to the independent development of infrastructure services, which, while essential, are often closed-source, complex, and costly to operate. AR.IO addresses these challenges by reducing gateway overhead costs through an open-source, efficient, modular architecture and creating an economic incentive layer with the IO Token. This strategy aims to attract more gateway operators, enhancing the permaweb's health, resiliency, and decentralization.

Use Case

  • Permanent Data Storage: Arweave provides immutable, decentralized storage for any file type, ensuring data is preserved indefinitely with a one-time payment.

  • Decentralized Web Hosting: The permaweb offers low-cost, zero-maintenance hosting for web apps, files, and webpages, allowing users and developers to build and access permanent online content.

  • Peer-to-Peer Data: AccessAR.IO Gateways enable seamless data retrieval and access, facilitating a decentralized interface for users to interact with the permaweb.

  • Smart Contract Execution: SmartWeave smart contracts run computations on the client side, reducing costs and complexity for developers, while supporting innovative decentralized applications.

  • Economic Incentives for Network Participation: The IO (ɸ) token incentivizes gateway operators and supports services like the Arweave Name System (ArNS), enhancing network functionality and participation.

  • Data Indexing and Querying: Gateways perform essential tasks such as indexing and querying Arweave data, ensuring efficient and scalable access to stored information.

  • Long-Term Data Preservation: The tokenomic endowment model ensures data remains stored and replicated for hundreds of years, making it ideal for archival and historical data storage.

  • Seamless Integration for Developers: Developers can easily build on the AR.IO Network using open-source tools and protocols, creating applications that leverage permanent data storage and decentralized infrastructure.

Technicals

  • Base Layer: Arweave Protocol and Network: Arweave provides the decentralized infrastructure for long-term data storage, incentivizing nodes to preserve data for extended periods through its unique proof of access mechanism and tokenomic endowment model.

  • Middle Layer: Services on Arweave: This layer includes gateways, data retrieval services, and smart contracts that facilitate a seamless experience for users, developers, and creators, ensuring efficient data access and management.

  • Top Layer: Applications on the Permaweb Applications utilize the stored data on Arweave, ranging from simple data access tools to complex decentralized apps, bringing the benefits of permanent storage to end users.

  • Scalable and Permanent Storage: Arweave stores data immutably and globally replicates it using the blockweave structure, secured by the Succinct Proof of Random Access (SPoRA) algorithm.

  • Single Payment Storage Model: Users pay once for data uploads, ensuring perpetual storage without ongoing fees, making it cost-effective and maintenance-free.

  • High Transaction Capacity: The protocol supports 1,000 base layer transactions per block, with new blocks mined every two minutes, allowing for extensive data storage and retrieval.


  • Decentralized InterfaceAR.IO : Gateways act as "Permaweb Service Providers," offering data retrieval, caching, and indexing services, crucial for accessing and utilizing stored data.

  • Economic Incentives with IO Token: The IO (ɸ) token supports network utilities and incentives, enabling services like the Arweave Name System (ArNS) and rewarding gateway operators.

  • Cost Reduction and Decentralization: Open-source, modular architecture reduces gateway operation costs, while economic incentives attract more operators, enhancing network resilience and functionality.

  • SmartWeave Protocol: SmartWeave enables client-side computation, eliminating fees and developer restrictions, facilitating the creation of SmartWeave Tokens (SWT) and incentivized applications.

  • Permaweb Layer: The permaweb hosts webpages, apps, and files permanently and cost-effectively, powered by the AR.IO Network, providing zero-maintenance hosting for creators and users worldwide.

Token

  • Protocol IncentivesThe IO Token (ɸ) incentivizes network participation, rewarding actions that support the health and growth of the AR.IO Network.

  • Gateway StakingGateways stake IO Tokens to join the network, ensuring their commitment and enhancing the network's security and reliability.

  • Payments for ServicesThe IO Token is used to pay for services within the AR.IO ecosystem, such as the Arweave Name System (ArNS), facilitating smooth transactions.

  • Permissionless and Censorship ResistantAs a medium of common value, the IO Token operates without permissions, maintaining censorship resistance and decentralization.

  • Optimized Incentive StructureExisting digital currencies do not align with the AR.IO Network's unique incentive requirements, necessitating a dedicated token.

  • Independent ValueThe IO Token's value is not pegged to external factors, ensuring stable and predictable incentives within the network.

  • Core Team: 17.46% (174,600,000 IO)Allocated to the core team to drive development and innovation within the AR.IO Network.

  • Advisors: 2.26% (22,600,000 IO)Reserved for advisors who provide strategic guidance and expertise.

  • Backers: 26.70% (267,000,000 IO)Distributed to backers who support the network's initial development and expansion.

  • Community Distribution: 17.50% (175,000,000 IO)Allocated to the community to encourage participation and growth of the ecosystem.

  • Initial Protocol Reward Balance: 5.00% (50,000,000 IO)Set aside for early rewards to incentivize initial network activities.

  • Foundation: 10.00% (100,000,000 IO)Used by the foundation to support ongoing network initiatives and operations.

  • Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships: 21.08% (210,800,000 IO)Dedicated to building partnerships and expanding the AR.IO ecosystem through strategic collaborations.

  • Capped SupplyThe total supply of IO Tokens is fixed at 1,000,000,000, with no function to mint new tokens, ensuring scarcity and value retention.

  • Community-Driven AdjustmentsAny changes to the token supply require a protocol fork and community consensus, maintaining a decentralized governance model.

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